Democrats claim tax rate is higher than indicated

The average tax rate in the 2013 budget for Monroe County will be $10.29 a $1,000 of assessed property value, $1.30 more than the rate quoted by Republican County Executive Maggie Brooks, Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature said Monday.

The rate calculated by the Democratic minority includes several items not counted in the $1.18 billion budget proposed by Brooks last month, Democrats said, citing proposed fees for snow removal and indigent burials.

In addition to the $8.99 rate, the budget includes a chargeback levy of $1.07 and a provision of 23 cents for uncollected taxes, Democrats said. Chargebacks vary from town to town, with most of the county services tax increase affecting towns.

The proposed snow tax will not be levied in the city.

“Although the county executive and her allies in the legislature will never admit it, the public knows they are paying more each and every year,” legislator Paul Haney (D-Rochester, Brighton) said in a statement released by Democrats.

“All we’re doing today is telling them the truth about what’s happened with county property taxes in the past few years.”

Brooks has championed a flat tax rate for the last six years, with a tax levy increase of less than 1 percent in each of the last four years. The levy has grown by 26.5 percent since Brooks took office in 2004, county figures show.

The Legislature, with a Republican majority, is expected to approve the budget Tuesday night.